Augusta, ME – Attorney General Janet T. Mills announced today her office’s receipt of $135,000 in federal funding to provide Maine consumers with advice about health insurance coverage and their rights to appeal denials by private insurers.

The grant, awarded by the federal Department of Health and Human Services, made possible through the Affordable Care Act’s Consumer Assistance Program Grants, provides funding to state agencies to implement programs that serve the public by assisting them with the many complexities that can be associated with obtaining and receiving fair and affordable health insurance.

The program will be coordinated by the Maine Attorney General’s Office in collaboration with the Maine Bureau of Insurance and the non-profit organization Consumers for Affordable Health Care. It will, among other things, help Mainers by assisting them in plan selection and enrollment. It will also educate consumers about their rights as recipients of private health insurance and will aid consumers with complaints and grievances against insurers by helping them to undertake the process of filing both internal and external appeals. If patterns of deceptive behavior are identified, referrals may be made to the Bureau of Insurance for regulatory action, or the Attorney General’s office may take action if any unfair practices are detected.

“We’re here to protect Maine consumers,” said Attorney General Mills when announcing the award. “This Consumer Assistance Program will help us to do just that. Insurance is a complicated and ever-changing field. Mainers deserve a program that will help them to navigate its complexities and ensure that they have the maximum health coverage allowed by law and contract.”